#panicuason

Our last and final day in Bicol. I'm exhausted but I've done more things compared to my previous visits, and it's definitely worth the muscle pain! There are two places listed in our itinerary for this day: Panicuason and CWC.

PANICUASON Hot and Cold Springs

I woke up that day a bit earlier than usual, and saw gray clouds on the sky. "Good", I said to myself. I already imagined myself under the hot spring water while mild drops of rain tickle my scalp. It was just what I needed to calm the beating I had the prior day. I excitedly went back to the room to wake the other people up and prepare. Relatives started to arrive and next thing I know, we were already trailing the foot of Mt. Isarog.

The place isn't new to me. I first went there back in 2004, when it was still a "virgin" resort - the roads were not yet cemented and only trucks can drive through the muddy terrain. I was surprised to see that a lot has changed now, including the Php200 mark-up of the entrance fee (it used to be only Php80). The course was still terrifyingly steep, but I was assured by our driver that the jeepney we were riding can handle the gruesome. I was a bit paranoid because we had kids with us, and the road was slippery because of the intermittent rain. Imagine my relief when we got there alive.

A few of this small, gushing falls/stream ( or whatever you call it ) will welcome you in the compound.

I had this same exact picture when I first went here.

The Panicuason resort has three hot pools, one warm pool, and four super cold pools. There's also an accessible "batis" or stream with flowing water fresh from the mountain. Be sure to dip into the stream earlier in the day, because come afternoon, the gush becomes stronger and the calm stream becomes a scary raging rapid.

   Some of the huts for rent. I wasn't able to take photos of the rest because it started to drizzle.

   the very cold stream

  This is the hot pool area with temperature ranging from 29˚C - 39˚C.

Clockwise from top left: 1. Look at how clear the water is! 2.That's the cement bridge you have to cross to get to the hot pools (this disappears when the water overflows) 3. The hottest of the pools @ 39˚C 4. My feet in the bridge between the cold pools

My sister's mario collection having a photo-op.

CAMARINES SUR WATERSPORTS COMPLEX

CWC Lakeside Huts

After the much needed hot pool dips, we engaged ourselves again to some crunching in the CWC grounds. It was around five in the afternoon when we arrived in the complex and was quite disappointed seeing a lot of wakeboarders in line. We took a peek at the other lake, called Lago del Ray and since the cut-off time is at 6pm, we decided to try it first. We were given floater vests and were let loose.

We all became kids again, perkily enjoying the playground of water and being silly getting frightened with the lake's depth ( which I think was more than 10ft!). We attempted to climb and try the Aqua Glider (the seesaw like inflatable) but I was too weak (or too heavy?) for it. My sister and her friend were able to get up though, but was unable to get to the other side, it was that hard! Next time I try it, I'll make sure I'm fit for it.

We also tried the slide, and the trampoline where we really had the most fun. It was quite a feat getting out of the water, bwiset lang because there was nothing to hold on to! We managed to pull ourselves up though, and jumped away like weightless elephants, haha. After about an hour, we became too exhausted from frolicking that we decided to go back and check out the wakeboard area. 

It was raining and people were having a dinner break so we decided to give it a try. WIth helmet and vest on, I braved the pull of the rope suspension and closed my eyes. Next thing I know, I was already wakeboarding (err, kneeboarding) - and I didn't fall the first time I tried! Yey for me!

Wakeboard launching point

 Left: The long line Right: Ready to launch!

Sister and her friend

I was already dead-tired after a couple of rounds and muscles were aching here and there. The places where I got wiped out were quite far from where we left our bags so I had to wait for the service cabs to pick me up. It was a great experience and I kind of regretted not trying it the many times I've visited and stayed in CWC before.

One downside though was the infestation of mosquitoes. They were huge and their bites really hurt! I had to keep moving my legs in their improvised sand to shoo them away and prevent myself from getting bitten.